New Jersey Marathon Announces Plans To Help 'Restore The Shore' In Advance Of May 3-5 Race Weekend

Fundraising and donations are planned as part of The New Jersey Marathon's 'We Are On! Are You In?' theme for the May 3-5 event.

Online PR News – 07-December-2012 – Long Branch, N.J. – US Road Sports & Entertainment, owner and operator of The New Jersey Marathon at the Shore, today announced a series of initiatives termed “Restore the Shore,” to be implemented to help the region's recovery efforts from the lasting effects of Hurricane Sandy. The Marathon, scheduled for May 5, 2013, as part of a full weekend of running- and health-related activities, winds through eight towns on the New Jersey shore, which each suffered from the storm.

US Road Sports and The New Jersey Marathon have incorporated the theme “We are on! Are you in?” to emphasize their resolve to conduct the weekend's festivities and help in the region's recovery efforts. They plan to include three main components in “Restore the Shore,” including:

Fundraising: USRS will conduct promotions in conjunction with other events it owns and operates across the country. This has already been implemented in campaigns surrounding the Palm Beaches Marathon (Dec. 2) and the upcoming ING Miami Marathon (Jan. 27) with a portion of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund, as well as the 13.1 New York Marathon (March 23) and The New Jersey Marathon with proceeds allocated specifically to the Restore the Shore initiatives. USRS is donating $20 from each marathon participant and $10 from each half marathon participant that registered in response to the relief and recovery campaigns.
Each year, The New Jersey Marathon donates a portion of each paid registration to various local charities, last year contributing more than $50,000 to designated beneficiaries. This year, a minimum of $10,000 will be allocated to “Restore the Shore,” with funds used to rebuild the shore with a focus on boardwalk reconstruction efforts, as well as distributed to mayors of affected towns for use on most acute needs at that time.
The New Jersey Marathon will donate 10 per cent of the net new sponsor revenues to “Restore the Shore” for sponsors that sign multi-year agreements.

“US Road Sports is proud to do its part in the massive effort to rebuild the New Jersey shore, home to this race that is such a highlight for so many affected by the disaster,” said Greg Laird, CEO of US Road Sports & Entertainment. “We are committed to playing an active role year-round in the communities in which we conduct events, and 'Restore the Shore' is the most effective way to show our commitment in New Jersey at this time.”

The massive loss extends deep into The New Jersey Marathon family, as Race Director Joe Gigas, a Shore resident, and other members of the race committee experienced major damage to their homes and property.

The popular race, which starts at historic Monmouth Park in Oceanport, winds through eight N.J. shore towns, including Monmouth Beach, Deal, Allenhurst, Lock Arbour, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove and Long Branch. While it is still unclear whether changes may need to be made in the race course, organizers continue to survey the route and hope to make decisions thereupon as quickly as possible. At this point, race organizers have confirmed that at least 90% of the full marathon course will remain the same.

For thousands of avid runners, walkers, beginners and everyone in between, the New Jersey Marathon at the Shore is one of the highlights of Spring. With a full marathon, half-marathon, half-marathon relay, three-mile fun run/walk, kids race, and Kids and Family Events scheduled, plus world-class courses designed for speed, great area restaurants and attractions, and amazing oceanfront scenery, May 3-5, 2013, are circled on calendars all over the Garden State and beyond.

“We fully expect the race to be another great one, registrations are strong, and we expect to see an increase in the number of participants this year due to the enthusiasm surrounding the rebuilding efforts and the community’s commitment to support this time honored tradition,” added Laird.

Registration for all events, course views (when finalized), information about volunteering and sponsorship and details of the entire weekend of activities and more are available at the race Website at www.NJMarathon.org.

Beginning runners, walkers and athletes with disabilities are all invited to participate. The New Jersey Marathon also conducts a series of training runs and related events to help participants of all levels to prepare.

The New Jersey Marathon is administered by US Road Sports & Entertainment Group, which conducts road races nationwide, including the Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 Marathon® Series.

Major sponsors of The New Jersey Marathon include Barnabas Health, Investors Bank and United Healthcare.

About US Road Sports & Entertainment Group
US Road Sports & Entertainment Group is a health and wellness company dedicated to the production of world-class endurance events. The mission of US Road Sports is to offer an unparalleled participant sports experience that showcases host communities and endures as a deeply valued local asset through events that are a part of the city’s culture, identity and brand. For each participant, US Road Sports strives to offer events that allow participants of all skill levels the opportunity to improve their physical and mental health and accomplish life-altering goals while having fun. US Road Sports provides sponsors and municipalities highly effective exposure to help maximize their presence and message in the community.